How to Manage Your Money with Godly Wisdom
My dad likes to tell the story of how he almost tried to talk me out of taking my first teaching position because the salary was so small.
I had just graduated from college and received a call to teach at a small Christian school in St. Louis, where Rev would attend seminary. I wanted to teach and I needed a job.
Truthfully, I didn’t feel like I had many options.
So, I accepted that low-paying position … just glad to have a job doing something I loved.
When Rev and I looked ahead at our lives together, we knew we’d chosen careers in ministry . . . we weren’t expecting to get rich.
How good are you at managing your money?
Because our income was so small we knew we had to budget very carefully.
We didn’t have credit cards; so, we couldn’t spend what we didn’t have which in retrospect was a blessing.
We not only managed … we were happy.
Then we had an early financial lesson…
Part of Rev’s Seminary training included something called Field Work at a local congregation and one of his assignments was to make evangelism calls with one of the members of our church.
Harry was a wise, kind man whom Rev and I loved and respected.
While they were out making calls, Harry asked, “Do you and Debbie tithe?”
Tithe? We had no money. We were barely making ends meet.
Rev replied, “We give, but not a tithe. We plan to as soon as we can.”
Harry said something we will never forget, “No you won’t. You’ll never tithe if you wait for the right income. Tithing is not a money issue it’s a faith issue.“
Rev’s initial reaction was to feel defensive, although he didn’t say anything. But Harry’s words had planted an important seed that inspired a very important and much needed discussion as soon as he got home.
And…
We started tithing that weekend.
Sure, we had to rework our budget a bit, but it was so worth it. It was a faith commitment that we praise God for helping us make.
Money is a huge issue for everyone. Whether you have a little or you have a lot … as individuals and especially as couples, money is a big deal and God knew it would be.
Thankfully, He didn’t leave us to figure it out on our own, He gave us lots wise direction.
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10
10 Ways to Manage Your Money with Godly Wisdom
1. Remember everything belongs to God.
You and I are simply stewards for a time.
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. Psalm 24:1
2. Pray. Ask God for wisdom to manage your money well.
Part of recognizing that it’s all God’s is asking Him for direction to be a good steward of His blessings.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
3. Make a budget and stick to it.
If you’re in debt, work to get out of it. Don’t spend what you don’t have.
The rich rules over the poor. The man who uses something that belongs to someone else is ruled by the one who let him use it. Proverbs 22:7
4. Know where you spend your money.
Take a few months to a year to document every penny spent so you will know where you can make changes in an emergency. Rev and I did this one for several years and although I’ll admit I wasn’t a fan, it helped us know what we could eliminate when we needed to rein in our spending.
A wise person should have money in their head, but not in their heart. ~Jonathan Swift
5. Take care of what you have.
New always seems attractive and exciting but part of being a good steward is simply caring for the blessings you already have.
Learn all you can about your sheep. Take care of your goats the best you can. Neither wealth nor nations last forever. Proverbs 27:23–24
6. Don’t compare what you have with your friends and neighbors.
You and I will always want bigger and better if we’re comparing and envious of what the people around us enjoy.
“When the Lord makes it clear you’re to follow Him in this new direction, focus fully on Him and refuse to be distracted by comparisons with others.” ~Charles R. Swindoll
7. Don’t shop for recreation and entertainment.
Many unnecessary purchases happen while you and I are out just “looking.”
“Living with intention means saying no to the things that aren’t important to us so we can say yes to what matters most.” ~Crystal Paine
8. Start a savings plan.
Even a small one will help you prepare for future needs or emergencies. Rev and I put 10% into our savings when we started giving 10% back to God.
“Financial peace isn’t the acquisition of stuff. It’s learning to live on less than you make, so you can give money back and have money to invest. You can’t win until you do this.” ~Dave Ramsey
9. Tithe!
It will bless you in every way. Our faith commitment to give 10% years ago came with a hope that someday we’d be able to give even more than a tithe. By God’s grace, there have been many years when He has made that possible.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. Proverbs 3:9
10. Praise God!
If you are reading this. If you live in a house with clean running water, windows, heat, food and a way to prepare it . . . you’re rich! You are blessed! So many people around the world live without things you and I take for granted. Thank and praise God and be generous with those in need.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money. –Anonymous
The best part of managing your money with Godly wisdom is that it comes with His peace and contentment. No amount of money or luxurious possessions is worth that sacrifice.
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So wonderful to be reminded that everything we have is a gift from God; we should be grateful and content with our blessings, not envious of what others possess.
And that was such great advice Harry gave to Rev. Glad it has blessed you both through the years, Deb!
Thanks, Martha! Yes, we have always been very thankful that Harry was bold enough to challenge a couple of kids on their faith and the way they looked at money. He was a wonderful man of God. Blessings to you!
I’m glad you found those financial advice tips meaningful. Trusting in faith and taking action can indeed make a difference. Remember, it’s not always about the amount we have; sometimes, it’s about the faith we put into managing what we do have.
Thanks again, this morning , I was thinking about this as soon as I pick up my phone . This was the first post I saw . Look at Jesus !
Well, hello, Deb! I hopped over here from Women With Intention Wednesdays (yours was the link before mine), and here you are! I love this practical, wise list. But #10 is my favorite. Will do just that when I finally head out for my morning power/prayer/Scripture memory walk! Blessings on your day!
Elizabeth, I hope you walk was great! What a wonderful way to start the day with a power, prayer, Scripture walk of praise. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to say hello. Blessings!
Another great post, Deb!
We are a pastor and a teacher family too! Learning how to handle dollars is essential, isn’t it!
Sharing this one all over today~
Melanie
It’s a great life isn’t it, Melanie! I love my Rev and blessed for the ministry opportunities we’ve shared. Thanks for sharing. You bless me!
“Everything belongs to God.” too bad many people ignore that and become so greedy they hurt others. Great post, Deb! 🙂
He has given us so much guidance for money management. Now to just trust Him with gratitude. Oh, we’d all be so much better off! Thanks for taking the time to stop and say ‘hi’!
Wow! This post is full of so much wisdom and great tips, Deb. Thank you for sharing this with all of us over at Holley’s #CoffeeForYourHeart linkup. Happy to be your neighbor ;). Money is a hard thing for me (I was raised in a family where money was talked about 24/7 … and not in a good way), but I am learning more and more to care less about it and trust God with every paycheck.
I was very blessed growing up, my dad was very wise at money management. When Rev and I were married he wanted to learn from my dad, so my life didn’t change much. We’ve been blessed to pretty much find ourselves on the same page with it comes to money. Something we’ve always been very thankful about. Blessings to you, Lauren!
Great post, neighbor! It reminded me of this Martin Luther quote “There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, mind, and the purse.” Thanks so much. Blessings to you and yours!
Deb, this is filled with wisdom. I’m passing it on!
Deb, Thank you for the reminders about the benefits of tithing–what we have is really God’s–that’s a startling concept to many. I pray that God will help me be a good steward of all He has blessed me with–including how I use my time.
Blessings!
I love the wisdom in all of your posts! I’ve spent two years working really hard to pay off my visa. I’m almost there! I had to stop shopping and really keep track of unnecessary spending. I learned my lesson the hard way, lol. These tips are very helpful!
Deb, These are such good suggestions! Every young person should learn these before getting a credit card or going out on their own! Our nation is so filled with debt. It tears apart so many marriages and families. I will be sharing this today for sure!
Hugs,
Lori
I LOVE this, Deb! When we went into the ministry full time I had to give back to the Lord a house full of items. It was a sad situation, but the Lord provided those things again when the time came. I would not want to have to do it again, but everything I have belongs to Him. Thank you for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.
Such practical and wise advice, Deb. When we got married, we never had that discipling about money. My husband came from a family who could easily buy what they wanted when they wanted, and I did not. We lived paycheck to paycheck. It was a whole new dynamic and then throwing a budget into it…well,let’s say we are teaching our children what we never knew.
Prayer and praise is such an important aspect of our honoring God with all that HE has given us.
Great post, and thank you for linking up at the #GraceMoments Link Up!
Blessings
Dawn
Love and powerful
Made my day even better. GOD BLESS
AMEN! I love this post. I pinned it immediately. Tithing is a joy. While it takes faith and obedience, He is faithful.
I enjoyed every bullet and agree. Beautifully backed with scripture. 🙂
Money is important, but not everything – there’re a lot more important things in life – your family and friends, for example. We shouldn’t put money on first place and we have to be more reasonable in spending them.
I need someone to read this to me nonstop daily! My husband and I have struggled with our finances since we got married. I recently started tithing 10% but got off track when baby #2 came and my income vanished for 8 weeks! I know God has been pulling my heart strings to be better at managing my money and to not allow money to control emotions! This was what I needed to hear!
Thank you for your words of inspiration. Sometimes you need to see them in print to remind oneself that we need to give more whether its of our time, donations or money. Its a page I will save for future readings again.
First of all, I want to thank on Deb for the article. It is good to know how to manage your money. I lot of people have a money and they don`t know what to do…
Hi there. I was wondering if you could pray for my family and I. My parents and brothers and their girlfriends are estranged from my husband and I. My parents and brothers and their gfs have treated me like garbage from the time I could remember. I was respectful but stood my ground with them. They were mentally, emotionally, and physically abusive towards me. I am not saying Im an angel but I did stand my ground. For years they have told me I was fat, useless and everything under the sun. When my brothers did wrong I got the beating for it. My mom used to cheat on my dad and bring her bfs around and they would come after me and she would punish me for their lusts. When I met my husband I was a single mother and my family did everything in their power to break us up. We got married and have been living a stress free life for the most part because we cut them off from contact. My husband and I don’t make a lot of money but we are truly happy and they base their happiness on money and how much we don’t make compare to my brothers. I do miss them (even with the bad memories). Can you please pray that we have family healing? It would be much appreciated. Thank you so much!
I’m so sorry you’re struggling with this, Cleo. I am praying for you and for your family! God bless you!
Great wisdom to handle money Deb. I can sight your article..
I’m so glad it encouraged you, Rey. God bless you!
please pray for me to get the finances I need to pay my bills. I was forced to quit my job last year due to a car accident I was in and I’ve used all my resources trying to make ends meet.Got bills to pay but don’t have the money I really need God’s help. ????????????????????????
We’re praying for you, Mamie, and asking the Lord to meet your needs and bless you in the days ahead. God be with you and fill you with peace, strength, hope, and love. Blessings!
Wonderful to that wealth is more than money
Amen, Charles! God bless you! Thanks for visiting and for your kindness in joining the conversation. God bless you!
Very good article, lots of wisdom.
Thank you, Tammy! I appreciate your kind encouragement. Blessings!
I’m so happy and I’m feeling so very blessed everyday.my husband and I live very simply and we do a lot for strangers,it’s a great feeling to give people help when they need it. not only strangers homeless you can tell when someone needs help just by following your heart. Thankyou for your post.
Greetings;
I love hearing & sharing the word of God ,he is faithful and just.
First thing in the morning I give
10 per cent in prayer to start my day also thru out the day. I thank and praise him and give him all the glory ..
I love this, Victoria. Tithing is not just about our money … it’s about our hearts and our all. Thanks for visiting and for adding to the conversation. God be with you and bless you!
Reading that has really been a blessing soon as I read it God said write those scriptures down thanks so much God bless
I’m so glad it blessed you, Marcia. Thank you for taking the time to let me know! God bless you!
Hello,I never have enough income to make ends meet,or cannot buy little things barely I need each month.irs v depressing.pray for me,thanks🤗🦋💙🙏⚘️🌹🙌
I’m sorry you are struggling, Donna. We are praying for you and asking the Lord to give you His peace, direction, and provision. God bless you!
Hello and thank you for the lovely inspiration have a wonderful day and God bless you Virginia
Thank you for visiting, Virginia, and for taking the time to say, hello. God bless you!
Thank you Loved reading your blog, I am a Christian, Love love love the Lord, read the Bible and study and in church studying, it amazes me in the past did lost ofBiblestudies in women’s group, and in church got even more out of some of the chapters that I past studied, Thanks be to God for he is our Everything, , prayers and luv Patricia P.💕🙏🏻🇺🇸✝️✡️☮️🇮🇱 Oh I live in NJ, at the shore,
Thanks for letting me know that CMB is blessing you, Patricia! It always brightens my day to know that a friend has been encouraged by a post. I love the Lord. He is so good and gracious. Welcome! I look forward to getting to know you! God be with you and bless you!
This will helped me to addressing my children who where having a problem of tithing because they have not having enough from what they are enerning thanks in Jesus’s Name Amen. Blessing continue to send us such wandaful information to us
I’m glad it encouraged you, Joyce. God be with you and bless you!
I have started tidying in my Christ house of worship
God be with you and bless you, Johanna!
Thank you for sharing! This is helpful for begining a direction for living a simple life!!
I’m glad you were blessed and encouraged. God be with you!
Thank you for the way you wrote this article! I love the steps. I just started to tithe last year, and the Lord has taken care of us every step of the way. And you are right: NO amount of money or possessions can compete with the Peace of knowing God is in control.
Thank you, Mindy! There is a wonderful blessing that comes from handling our money and possessions the way He directs. I’m so glad you and your family are experiencing His peace and contentment that come in trusting God with your finances. Thanks for visiting. God bless you!
This really bless my day ,and it’s a great start for the week. I will definitely read this over and over again because it really blessed me.
I’m so glad it blessed you, Ade. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. God bless you!
Praying for me and my husband for continued a roof over our heads and bill paid food thank you Lord Jesus for all of your blessings ✨🙌🏾
Yes, Sharon, I am praying for you and your husband. May the Lord be with you and bless you!